Description

The multi-award winning, critically acclaimed and best-selling The Idea of North present their brand new studio album: Ballads.

Over the past two decades, The Idea of North have become renowned for phenomenal performances – using just the voices of their four members, soprano Sally Cameron, alto Naomi Crellin, tenor Nick Begbie and bass Andrew Piper. They’ve won the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album, sold out venues throughout the world, and been heard by even more music-lovers globally through their acclaimed recordings.

This new album showcases what The Idea of North does best: beautiful songs in stunning arrangements. The Ballads concept began seven years ago with a concert of ‘Ballads by Candelight’ in the group’s home town of Adelaide. It was so successful that they’ve been touring that concert all over the country ever since.

From ABBA to Sting, and from Cold Chisel to originals by members of The Idea of North, this is an essential new album from a group who are now well-established as one of the jewels in Australia’s musical crown.

Reviews

Ballads
The Idea Of North
(ABC Classics & Jazz)
★★★★✬
It's hard to believe all sounds on this recording were made b y the human voice or body, yet that is indeed the case. A range of sounds usually created by instrument or electronics is skilfully created by the vocalists on this mellow album consisting of covers of hit songs by Sting, the Bee Gees, Billy Joel, Abba and Cold Chisel, together with some more recent works and one 19th-century piece, Heidenröslein by Heinrich Werner. Take the cheerful rendition of Sting's _Fields of Gold,_ with Japanese guest vocal percussionist Kaichiro Kitamura. After a solemn, wordless introduction, the melody bursts into full forward motion, gently pushed along with what sounds like instrument accompaniment, but it's actually Kitamura.
Even more inspiring are the "drum kit" sounds in the expressing arrangement of _Too Much Heaven_. This is the 12th album from this group, which originated from the simple idea of presenting a concert of laid-back ballads in St Peter's Cathedral in Adelaide. The concert was so successful they have since taken it across the country and overseas. _A Country Mile_ by alto Naomi Crellin is mournful and atmospheric, and the ABBA classic _When All Is Said And Done_ is earnest and uplifting. The ebb and flow of the second Sting song on this album, _The Pirate's Bride_, is well managed with its polyphonic lines and Nick Begbie's use of unembellished voice sounds remarkably like Sting himself at times, and expresses the resigned theme of the song - the tide rolls out, the tide rolls in, without a care for the ways of men - well.
Billy Joel's _Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)_ crowns this album with a breathtakingly beautiful and simple four-part vocal introduction, followed by verses sung by Begbie and Sally Cameron.

Description

Pushing the boundaries of where you think an a cappella group can take you, The Idea of North have put together their tenth album release, bringing together both new and already loved tunes. Touted as ‘their best album yet’ by ABC Music and winner of the 2013 ARIA for Best Jazz Album, ‘Smile’ encourages you to do just that.

Description

Their 2012 release is by popular demand - an overwhelming number of fans had placed requests for an album of Christmas music, and The Idea of North have answered with 'This Christmas': a collection of songs for the silly season, ranging from traditional carols right through to modern pop and jazz tunes, all celebrating the wonderment of Christmas.

Out now, and available through ABC Stores and JB Hifi across the country, as well as online through a number of online music retailers, including:

www.abcshop.com.au | www.jbhifi.com.au
www.musicshop.com.au | iTunes

We apologise to any international fans - we are currently working on ways of making our CDs more readily available outside Australia. Thank you for your patience!

Description

The Idea of North returns to their a cappella roots for this eclectic collection of jazz, folk, pop and originals with a twist. Nominated for a 2011 'Best Jazz Album' ARIA award, this album brings together years of fine-tuning their sounds, their harmonies and their love of singing together.

Description

The Idea of North's first whole-album collaboration with instrumentalists. Australia's jazz legend James Morrison and The Idea of North have teamed up to create a swingin', vibey jazz vocal album with an awesome mix of tracks. Latin, swing, groove tunes and some beautiful ballads comprise this fantastic release.

Description

Following on from the success of their first two ABC Jazz albums, Evidence and Here and Now, this exciting new album from popular Australian vocal quartet The Idea of North features all their greatest hits. The soundtrack to an upcoming DVD recorded live at the Brisbane Powerhouse, the tracks on this album have proven to be audience favourites.

Reviews

"Live at The Brisbane Powerhouse is a classic, evoking the kind of thrill only possible while listening to music that is to be treasured and held in the heart long after the curtain comes down."

Description

In response to many requests over many years to record an entirely 'gospel' album, The Idea of North finally produced their take on this popular genre. With a number of classic gospel tunes, mixed in with some not-so-classic and a number of beautiful originals, this is a CD you can really sink your teeth into. There has been a lttle straying from the a cappella style, with four of the tracks featuring a wonderful rhythm section, giving the CD another dimension.

Reviews

"The Gospel Project takes the originals and injects [The Idea of North's] particular brand of subtle yet enthusiastic energy. The vocals are, as ever, crisp and carefully crafted to draw attention to the lyrics...the project was to capture the spirit of what the word gospel means – good news – and they capture this spirit from an astonishing variety of sources."

Tracklisting

Description

The Idea of North is taking the world by storm. Fresh from the success of their debut on ABC Jazz with Here and Now, they once again deliver an album of sublime vocal artistry. Including such songs as Stevie Wonder's perennial favourite Isn't She Lovely and Jobim's sensual Corcovado, this album, Evidence, is sure to please listeners of all ages and tastes. Special guest appearance on the album by James Morrison.

Tracklisting

Description

The Idea of North. Four stunning voices make their ABC Jazz debut on a smooth, velvety a cappella album, 'Here and Now'.

With a diverse range of songs, including Michael Jackson's 'Man In The Mirror', Sting's 'Fragile', Gershwin's 'But Not For Me', and Randy Newman's delightful ballad from 'Toy Story 2', 'When She Loved Me', this album will appeal to music lovers of all ages.

Many of the songs on the CD are arrangements by members of the group itself – Trish Delaney-Brown, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie, and Andrew Piper – and all the sounds you hear on the recording are made with the voices or bodies of The Idea of North!

Australian Jazz sensation James Morrison has said of the group, "The Idea of North is the best contemporary a cappella group in the country and is quickly becoming recognised as one of the top groups in this genre in the world."

This is music that will open your heart and touch your soul.

Reviews

"The range of different songs on the album keeps the listener interested and surprised throughout."